The document summarizes the dividend discount model valuation of several companies. For Con Edison, the model estimates a value of $42.37 per share based on an expected growth rate of 3%. For ABN Amro, a two-stage DDM is used with a high growth phase of 5 years at 9.73% followed by stable growth of 5%. This estimates a value of 30.87 Euros per share. For the S&P 500, a two-stage DDM estimates an intrinsic value of $526.35, significantly below the current level of 1320, indicating potential overvaluation.

1. Aswath Damodaran 1
The Dividend Discount Model
Aswath Damodaran

2. Aswath Damodaran 2
General Information
n The risk premium that I will be using in the 1999 and 2000 valuations
for mature equity markets is 4%. This is the average implied equity
risk premium from 1960 to 2000.
n For the valuations from 1998 and earlier, I use a risk premium of
5.5%.

3. Aswath Damodaran 3
Con Ed: Rationale for Model
n The firm is in stable growth; based upon size and the area that it
serves. Its rates are also regulated; It is unlikely that the regulators will
allow profits to grow at extraordinary rates.
n Firm Characteristics are consistent with stable, DDM model firm
• The beta is 0.80 and has been stable over time.
• The firm is in stable leverage.
• The firm pays out dividends that are roughly equal to FCFE.
– Average Annual FCFE between 1994 and 1999 = $553 million
– Average Annual Dividends between 1994 and 1999 = $ 532 million
– Dividends as % of FCFE = 96.2%

4. Aswath Damodaran 4
Con Ed: A Stable Growth DDM: December 31,
2000
n Earnings per share for trailing 4 quarters = $ 3.15
n Dividend Payout Ratio over the 4 quarters = 69.21%
n Dividends per share for last 4 quarters = $2.18
n Expected Growth Rate in Earnings and Dividends =3%
n Con Ed Beta = 0.80 (Bottom-up beta estimate)
n Cost of Equity = 5.1% + 0.80*4% = 8.30%
Value of Equity per Share = $2.18 *1.03 / (.083 -.03) = $ 42.37
The stock was trading at $ 38.60 on December 31, 2000

5. Aswath Damodaran 5
Con Ed: Break Even Growth Rates
Con Ed Value versus Growth Rate
$0.00
$10.00
$20.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50.00
$60.00
$70.00
$80.00
5.00% 4.00% 3.00% 2.00% 1.00% 0.00% -1.00% -2.00% -3.00%
Expected Growth Rate
ValueperShare
Implied Growth Rate: Value per share = $ 38.60

6. Aswath Damodaran 6
Estimating Implied Growth Rate
n To estimate the implied growth rate in Con Ed’s current stock price,
we set the market price equal to the value, and solve for the growth
rate:
• Price per share = $ 38.60 = $2.18 *(1+g) / (.083 -g)
• Implied growth rate = 2.51%
n Given its retention ratio of 30.79% and its return on equity in 1999 of
10%, the fundamental growth rate for Con Ed is:
Fundamental growth rate = (.3079*.10) = 3.08%

7. Aswath Damodaran 7
Implied Growth Rates and Valuation
Judgments
n When you do any valuation, there are three possibilities. The first is
that you are right and the market is wrong. The second is that the
market is right and that you are wrong. The third is that you are both
wrong. In an efficient market, which is the most likely scenario?
n Assume that you invest in a misvalued firm, and that you are right and
the market is wrong. Will you definitely profit from your investment?
o Yes
o No

8. Aswath Damodaran 8
Con Ed: A Look Back
Con Ed: Valuations over Time
$-
$10.00
$20.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50.00
$60.00
1: December 1997 2: December 1998 3: June 1999
Date of Valuaton
PerShare
Estimated Value
Price per Share

9. Aswath Damodaran 9
ABN Amro: Rationale for 2-Stage DDM
n As a financial service institution, estimating FCFE or FCFF is very
difficult.
n The expected growth rate based upon the current return on equity of
15.56% and a retention ratio of 62.5% is 9.73%. This is higher than
what would be a stable growth rate (roughly 5% in Euros)

10. Aswath Damodaran 10
ABN Amro: Summarizing the Inputs
n Market Inputs
• Long Term Riskfree Rate (in Euros) = 5.02%
• Risk Premium = 4% (U.S. premium : Netherlands is AAA rated)
n Current Earnings Per Share = 1.60 Eur; Current DPS = 0.60 Eur;
Variable High Growth Phase Stable Growth Phase
Length 5 years Forever after yr 5
Return on Equity 15.56% 15% (Industry average)
Payout Ratio 37.5% 66.67%
Retention Ratio 62.5% 33.33% (b=g/ROE)
Expected growth .1556*.625=.0973 5% (Assumed)
Beta 0.95 1.00
Cost of Equity 5.02%+0.95(4%) 5.02%+1.00(4%)
=8.82% =9.02%

11. Aswath Damodaran 11
ABN Amro: Valuation
Year EPS DPS PV of DPS
1 1.76 0.66 0.60
2 1.93 0.72 0.61
3 2.11 0.79 0.62
4 2.32 0.87 0.62
5 2.54 0.95 0.63
Expected EPS in year 6 = 2.54(1.05) = 2.67 Eur
Expected DPS in year 6 = 2.67*0.667=1.78 Eur
Terminal Price (in year 5) = 1.78/(.0902-.05) = 42.41 Eur
PV of Terminal Price = 42.41/(1.0882)5 = 27.79 Eur
Value Per Share = 0.60 + 0.61+0.62+0.62+0.63+27.79 = 30.87 Eur
The stock was trading at 24.33 Euros on December 31, 2000

12. Aswath Damodaran 12
Dividends
EPS = 1.60 Eur
* Payout Ratio 37.5%
DPS = 0.60 Eur
Expected Growth
62.5% *
15.56% = 9.73%
0.66 Eur 0.72 Eur 0.79 Eur 0.87 Eur 0.95 Eur
Forever
g =5%: ROE =15% (Ind. avg)
Beta = 1.00
Payout = (1- 5/15) = .667
Terminal Value= EPS6*Payout/(r-g)
= (2.67*.667)/(.0902-.05) = 42.41
.........
Cost of Equity
5.02% + 0.95 (4%) = 8.82%
Discount at Cost of Equity
Value of Equity per
share = 30.87 Eur
Riskfree Rate :
Long term bond rate in
the Netherlands
5.02% +
Beta
0.95 X
Risk Premium
4%
Average beta for European banks =
0.95 Mature Market
4%
Country Risk
0%
VALUING ABN AMRO

13. Aswath Damodaran 13
The Value of Growth
n In any valuation model, it is possible to extract the portion of the value
that can be attributed to growth, and to break this down further into
that portion attributable to “high growth” and the portion attributable
to “stable growth”. In the case of the 2-stage DDM, this can be
accomplished as follows:
Value of High Growth Value of Stable Assets in
Growth Place
DPSt = Expected dividends per share in year t
r = Cost of Equity
Pn = Price at the end of year n
gn = Growth rate forever after year n
P0 = DPS t
(1+r)t
∑
t=1
t=n
+ Pn
(1+r)n
-
DPS 0*(1+g n)
(r-gn)
+
DPS 0*(1+g n)
(r-gn)
- DPS 0
r + DPS 0
r

14. Aswath Damodaran 14
ABN Amro: Decomposing Value
n Value of Assets in Place = Current DPS/Cost of Equity
= 0.60 Eur/..0882
= 6.65 Eur
n Value of Stable Growth = 0.60 (1.05)/(.0882-.05) - 6.65 NG
= 9.02 Eur
n Value of High Growth = Total Value - (6.65+ 9.02)
= 30.87 - (6.65+9.02) = 15.20 Eur

15. Aswath Damodaran 15
S & P 500: Rationale for Use of Model
n While markets overall generally do not grow faster than the economies
in which they operate, there is reason to believe that the earnings at
U.S. companies (which have outpaced nominal GNP growth over the
last 5 years) will continue to do so in the next 5 years. The consensus
estimate of growth in earnings (from Zacks) is roughly 10% (with
bottom-up estimates) and 7.5% (with top-down estimates)
n Though it is possible to estimate FCFE for many of the firms in the
S&P 500, it is not feasible for several (financial service firms). The
dividends during the year should provide a reasonable (albeit
conservative) estimate of the cash flows to equity investors from
buying the index.

16. Aswath Damodaran 16
S &P 500: Inputs to the Model (12/31/00)
n General Inputs
• Long Term Government Bond Rate = 5.1%
• Risk Premium for U.S. Equities = 4%
• Current level of the Index = 1320
n Inputs for the Valuation
High Growth Phase Stable Growth Phase
Length 5 years Forever after year 5
Dividend Yield 1.25% 1.25%
Expected Growth 7.5% 5.5% (Nominal US g)
Beta 1.00 1.00

17. Aswath Damodaran 17
S & P 500: 2-Stage DDM Valuation
Cost of Equity = 5.1% + 1(4%) = 9.1%
Terminal Value = 23.69*1.055/(.091 -.055) = 691.55
$526.35Intrinsic Value of Index =
$462.73$15.55$15.78$16.02$16.26Present Value =
$691.55Expected Terminal Value=
$23.69$22.04$20.50$19.07$17.74Expected Dividends =
54321

18. Aswath Damodaran 18
Explaining the Difference
n The index is at 1320, while the model valuation comes in at 526. This
indicates that one or more of the following has to be true.
• The dividend discount model understates the value because dividends are
less than FCFE.
• The expected growth in earnings over the next 5 years will be much
higher than 7.5%.
• The risk premium used in the valuation (4%) is too high
• The market is overvalued.

19. Aswath Damodaran 19
A More Realistic Valuation of the Index
nThe median dividend/FCFE ratio for U.S. firms is about 50%. Thus the
FCFE yield for the S&P 500 should be around 2.5% (1.25%/.5).
nThe implied risk premium between 1960 and 1970, which was when
long term rates were as well behaved as they are today, is 3%.
nWith these inputs in the model:
1 2 3 4 5
Expected Dividends = $35.48 $38.14 $41.00 $44.07 $47.38
Expected Terminal Value = $1,915.07
Present Value = $32.82 $32.63 $32.45 $32.27 $1,329.44
Intrinsic Value of Index = $1,459.62
At a level of 1320, the market is undervalued by about 10%.